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Best red lipstick: the matte
M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
Best red lipstick: the matte
M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
MAC's inimitable Ruby Woo has been my go-to red lipstick since I was a teenager – and I’m not the only one. First launched in 1999, it remains a best-seller for the brand today, with one selling every 15 seconds across the globe.
The secret to its success lies in the vibrancy: it’s the boldest, most postbox-bright red possible, and leans only slightly blue in undertone, meaning it genuinely pops on every single skin tone.
Don’t faff around with a liner or brush – it applies perfectly from the pointed bullet – and is long-wearing enough to sharply line the lips without bleeding or smudging.
The only downside (if you're really looking for one) is its tendency to feel dry after a few hours of wear – but dab a creamy balm beneath and the problem is solved.
Best red lipstick: the luxe one
Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte in Rouge Cinétique
Best red lipstick: the luxe one
Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte in Rouge Cinétique
A Hermès lipstick is a serious thing of beauty, from the weighty colour-blocked case, complete with golden crest, to the bold bullet housed inside.
This season, the brand has revealed a trio of limited-edition shades, each one with the saturation set to blinding. Alongside the skin-enlivening orange and fuchsia sits this flawless true red. Only lightly matte and loaded with moisturising extracts, it offers comfort and impact in one.
Best red lipstick: the liquid
Byredo Liquid Lipstick Matte in Red Coma
Best red lipstick: the liquid
Byredo Liquid Lipstick Matte in Red Coma
A master of colour, Byredo's make-up artist in residence, Lucia Pica, knows exactly how to create a winning red. Her new line of matte lipsticks is creamy, rather than powdery, and the pigment packs a serious punch. For maximum impact try Red Coma: a bold true red that looks beautiful when blurred softly with a finger.
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Best red lipstick: the palette
Westman Atelier Lip Suede - Les Rouges
Best red lipstick: the palette
Westman Atelier Lip Suede - Les Rouges
An entirely luxurious choice, this weighty palette contains four shades that can be worn alone or blended together to create a custom hue.
The texture is unusual – imagine a spongy, cushiony balm – yet the pigment is surprisingly punchy. Dab it on with your ring finger for a romantic, blurred effect, or employ a lip brush for sharp precision. Infused with plant oils, it's a supremely comfortable one to wear, too.
Best red lipstick: the satin
Dior Rouge Dior Couture Lipstick in 999
Best red lipstick: the satin
Dior Rouge Dior Couture Lipstick in 999
This satiny version of Dior's beloved Rouge Dior lipstick is the ideal halfway point between a gloss and a matte finish. It's generously pigmented, yet light as a balm, and makes lips look fuller with a light-reflecting finish.
Best red lipstick: the long-wear
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur The Slim in Corail Antinomique
Best red lipstick: the long-wear
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur The Slim in Corail Antinomique
A seriously underrated formula, YSL's The Slim lipsticks work brilliantly to plump and smooth lips, leaving behind a smooth stamp of bold, matte pigment. This one is the perfect orange-leaning hue: perfect for brightening up winter-weary complexions.
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Best red lipstick: the liquid
Lisa Eldridge Velveteen Liquid Lip Colour in Dragon
Best red lipstick: the liquid
Lisa Eldridge Velveteen Liquid Lip Colour in Dragon
I personally tend to avoid liquid lipsticks, as I find them uncomfortably drying with a tendency to crack and flake. Not Lisa Eldridge's though: the iconic make-up artist has got the balance just right with these velvety formulas. Dragon is a warm rust-red that feels less of a statement than a classic Hollywood hue: ideal for easing yourself into wearing colour.
The trick is to apply with a light hand – the payoff is high, so there's little need for a thick layer. Once dry, it'll last all day, and won't transfer to your collar or teeth.
Best red lipstick: the dark red
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lip Colour in Rouge Vie
Best red lipstick: the dark red
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lip Colour in Rouge Vie
Chanel knows exactly how to deliver a chic dark-red lipstick. There are now plenty of variations in the brand's lip category, but this powdery matte is perhaps the best: it's light, comfortable, and smudge-proof without feeling aggressively long-wearing.
Best red lipstick: the vegan option
Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in Red 0
Best red lipstick: the vegan option
Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in Red 0
Hourglass is working to become a wholly vegan brand, and this new red lipstick is one of its most impressive feats. It's tricky to formulate a good, vivid red that's vegan-friendly, as the red pigment traditionally comes from beetle-derived carmine.
This blue-toned red sets the bar high: it's rich, indulgently creamy, and delivers bold yet satiny colour with a single swipe. Bonus points for the refillable (and very glamorous) case, too.
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